According to owner Steve Taylor, it is going to be a “dining experience.”

“It” is Maxwell’s, which starting in August will be Kirksville’s newest downtown dining location. Taylor in December purchased the 215 W. Washington building, which most recently was Opie’s Steakhouse, and formerly Il Spazio.

Since making the purchase Taylor has been gutting and reshaping the interior of his latest business venture. The longtime entrepreneur said this will be his 21st business.

“That means I’m of age,” he joked.

While much work remains, a look inside shows the formation of a restaurant with a lot to offer.

Half the space will be dedicated to what Taylor calls “pub-ish” and “fun-ish” with big screen TVs and a state-of-the-art sound system, while the other side features intimate booths for a more personal dining experience.

A dance floor has been installed, to be utilized when live music is present on the weekends or when the space is reserved for events. A large meeting room has also been constructed to fill a gap Taylor said has existed since Minn’s Cuisine was no longer a part of the downtown business roster.

“Just a gathering place to have a fun evening,” Taylor said of Maxwell’s, which received its name from Taylor’s son (Jason Maxwell) grandson (Pierce Maxwell) and his wife’s father (Max). The Maxwell automobile, manufactured in the early 1900s, will help serve as the restaurant’s logo.

Taylor described the menu he and Jay “Farmer Jay” Sandner assembled as “Americana,” featuring steaks, chicken, meat and vegetable lasagna, gluten-free offerings, and desserts, like a fudge peanut butter cobbler, of a quality he described in words that would require a PG-13 rating.

“We’re going to have some really, really great things on the menu,” Taylor said. “Just some really unique things.”

Also unique will be the service, which features a 60-second guarantee. Taylor said each dining spot will have a flag that, if raised, will alert staff that service is required.

Taylor said he got the idea from being in good restaurants and getting “ticked off” due to untimely service.

“You’re sitting there, ready for a check, need a drink, there will be a flag on the end of the booth. You just push that flag up and that means someone will be here in 60 seconds. It won’t have to be your waiter. Someone will be there and see what’s going on,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the plan is to be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant will also be closed during the months of January and February to allow for deep cleaning and for Taylor to make use of a home in Sarasota, Fla.

There will also not be a senior citizen’s discount.

“I’m 66 years old and I’m working my butt off,” he said. “We’re going to try to price it right," Taylor said he keeps going because he has to, suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder after serving as a medic in Vietnam.

“I have to stay busy,” he said. “I just can’t quit.”

Taylor believes he’s found a niche to fill, as well, something he said is key for anyone looking to start a business.

“They just need to do their homework and see if the need is really there. You cannot compete with Walmart. It’s got to be a niche market. That’s what they need to think about,” he said.

After that, it’s all about taking the plunge.

“Everything is a risk, but if you go in it and you have a direction and you know what you want, you make it happen, but you have to be there, too. You can’t think you’re going to do it and not be there.”

He plans to be at Maxwell’s, and he hopes it helps bring people to downtown Kirksville.

“I think it’s going to be a dining experience,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”